Garment having cup parts

ABSTRACT

An embodiment of the present invention is directed to a garment  1  having a cup part  12  for covering a bust, including a shape support part  20  for supporting a shape of the bust, the shape support part provided in at least a lower part of the cup part  12 . The shape support part  20  is formed in a plate-like shape having a surface curved with respect to the bust, a curvature of the curved surface of the shape support part  20  is greater than a curvature of the cup part  12  with the shape support part being not disposed therein, and the shape support part  20  has elasticity.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a garment having cup parts for covering busts (breasts).

BACKGROUND ART

Brassieres, for example, are known as garments having cup parts for covering the busts. With these types of brassieres, a pad composed of soft material may be disposed in a lower part of each of the cup parts to improve the shape of the busts. This type of pad, however, cannot sufficiently push up the busts and thereby, plump up the busts in upper parts of the cup parts. This is more likely to occur particularly to busts with increased softness due to age change.

The pad may be thickened to further improve the shape of the busts, which in turn may provide the wearer with a feeling of pressure. Also, in this case, the pad cannot push up the busts under the weight of the busts and, as a result, the cup parts may come down. When the cup parts thus comes down, a shaping force sufficient to move the busts upward and/or inward cannot be provided. In this case, the busts are not supported stably, so that the volume of the busts may move toward the outsides due to motions of the wearer.

In order to prevent a cup part from coming down, a firm cup wire may be provided at the lower edge of the cup part or the base part and/or the back part in the lower part of the cup part may be strengthened, which in turn may provide the wearer with a feeling of tightness.

In view of this, Patent Document 1 describes providing not a cup wire but a bust support member at the lower end periphery of each cup part. The bust support member is composed of a high-stiffness hard plate including a hard elastic plate of polycarbonate or polyethylene terephthalate as a core material, with polyester-fiber woven or knitted fabrics polymerized on the two sides of the core material. The core material and the fabrics on the two sides are thermally molded on a thermally deposited laminate and hardened to fit the shape of the cup part lateral to or under the bust. This provides a high bust reshaping performance with which it is possible to bear the weight of the bust and make sagging less likely to occur as well as a flat body contact kind to the skin.

Patent Document 2 also describes providing not a cup part but a fan-like part extending from the vicinity of the front center through the part under the bust to the vicinity of the outside with the apex thereof positioned at the nipple, which easily causes sagging and therefore, requires support and reshaping. The fan-like part is composed of stretchable material. This can add a planar pressure to the substantial part through the restoring performance of the stretchable material during use.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-288604

Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Publication of No. WO99/58007 reissued

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

However, only adding a bust-shaped plate to the lower end periphery of the cup part, like the bust support member disclosed in Patent Document 1, can only prevent the bust from coming down. Furthermore, the bust support member disclosed in Patent Document 1 cannot provide a shaping (pulling and/or lifting) force sufficient to move the bust upward and/or inward. Even the fan-like part disclosed in Patent Document 2 can only hold the bust with its stretch properties, not providing a shaping (pulling and/or lifting) force sufficient to move the bust upward and/or inward.

It is hence an object of the present invention to provide a garment having a cup part capable of improving the shape of the bust without providing the wearer with a feeling of pressure or tightness.

Solution to Problem

The present invention is directed to a garment having a cup part for covering a bust (a breast), including a shape support part for supporting a shape of the bust, the shape support part provided in at least a lower part of the cup part. The shape support part is formed in a plate-like shape having a surface curved with respect to the bust, a curvature of the curved surface of the shape support part is greater than a curvature of the cup part with the shape support part being not disposed therein, and the shape support part has elasticity.

In accordance with the garment having a cup part, the shape support part is stretched by the bust during use and acts in a manner holding the bust therein through its elastic restoring force. The shape support part also presses the swelled part in a lower part of the bust (or a an outside part of the bust) inside a verge's line (a semicircular contour on the lower edge of a breast), so that the volume of the bust is likely to move upward and/or inward. This allows the volume of the bust to move upward and thereby, the outside part of the bust to be cleared. In accordance with the garment having a cup part, the cup part can thus hold the bust and the shape support part can also hold the bust therein to improve the shape of the bust.

There is no need to use a thickened pad to improve the shape of the bust. Therefore, it is possible to improve the shape of the bust without providing the wearer with a feeling of pressure. There is also no need to strengthen the base part, the cup wire, or the back part or increase the pull-up force of the strap part to improve the shape of the bust. It is therefore possible to improve the shape of the bust with a comfortable feeling of wear.

In accordance with the garment having a cup part, the shape support part can hold the lower part of the bust stably therein to prevent the cup part from coming down.

In accordance with the garment having a cup part, even when the bust may become deformed due to motions of the wearer, the shape support part also becomes deformed with its elastic properties to follow the deformation of the bust, whereby it is possible to maintain the shape of the bust.

In accordance with the garment having a cup part, since there is no need for a cup wire to provide a shaping force, even a non-wired type can also improve the shape of the bust.

The above-described shape support part may be stored in a storing part formed in at least the lower part of the cup part. In accordance with this arrangement, the shape support part can be separated and easily detachable from the cup part.

A lower side of at least an outside part of the above-described shape support part may pass nearer the bust than the verge's line. In accordance with this arrangement, it is possible to efficiently press the swelled part in a lower part of the bust (or an outside part of the bust) inside the verge's line, so that the volume of the bust is likely to move upward or inward. The shape support part is not of a hard material for squeezing the verge's line, but of an elastic material for holding the swelled part of the bust gently therein, whereby it is possible to improve the shape of the bust without providing a feeling of pain.

A front center end part of the above described shape support part may be located at a position lower than a height of a bust top (a nipple). In accordance with this arrangement, it is possible to prevent the swelling in a front center part of an upper side of the bust from being deformed.

A outside end part of the above described shape support part may be located at a position higher than a height of a bust top. In accordance with this arrangement, it is possible to hold the bust, which otherwise is likely to move toward the outside, and thereby to clear the outside part of the bust.

The above-described garment having a cup part may further include a back part for supporting a lower side of the cup part excluding an outside part of the lower side of the cup part, in which the back part may be separated from the outside part of the lower side of the cup part. In accordance with this arrangement, the lateral force on the outside part of the lower side of the cup part by the back part acts on the outside end part of the shape support part, which can prevent the action of the shape support part for holding therein the lower part of the bust (or an outside part of the bust, for example) from being inhibited.

The above-described garment having a cup part may further include a cup wire for supporting a lower side of the cup part and a back part for supporting an outside part of the lower side of the cup part, in which the above-described storing part of the cup part for storing therein the shape support part is separated substantially from the cup wire. In accordance with this arrangement, the cup wire can prevent the action of the shape support part for holding therein the lower part of the bust from being inhibited. Also, the lateral force on the outside part of the lower side of the cup part by the back part acts on the outside end part of the shape support part, which can prevent the action of the shape support part for holding therein the lower part of the bust (or an outside part of the bust, for example) from being inhibited.

The above-described garment having a cup part may further include a cup wire for supporting a lower side of the cup part excluding an outside part of the lower side of the cup part. In accordance with this arrangement, the cup wire can prevent the action of the outside end part of the shape support part for holding therein the lower part of the bust (or an outside part of the bust, for example) from being inhibited.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

In accordance with the present invention, it is possible to improve the shape of the bust without providing the wearer with a feeling of pressure or tightness.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a brassiere according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the shape support member shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary arrangement of the shape support member with respect to the bust.

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of a brassiere according to an exemplary variation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VI-VI in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of a brassiere according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of a brassiere according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of a brassiere according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates a shape support member according to an exemplary variation of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be hereinafter described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is noted that in each drawing, components identical or corresponding to those in the other drawings are designated by the same signs.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a brassiere according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II in FIG. 1. The brassiere 1 includes a main part 10 and a shape support member (shape support part) 20. It is noted that the brassiere 1, which is approximately bilaterally symmetric, will hereinafter be described focusing on only one of the left and right parts.

The main part 10 includes a cup part 12, a base part 14, a back part 16, and a strap part 18.

The cup part 12 is provided to cover the bust and supported by the base part 14. The base part 14 has a front center part 14 f and an outside part 14 s that are separated at around the lowest point A of the verge's line, and is sewed on the lower side of the cup part 12. The base part 14 is composed of a stretchable fabric to which a material such as power-net, trico-net, or two-way trico-net is applicable. It is noted that the front center part 14 f of the base part 14 may employ a non-stretchable or less-stretchable fabric different from that for the outside part 14 s to further increase the stability. In this case, a material such as marquisette or double-tricot is applicable.

A decorative fabric 30 is provided on the front side of the cup part 12, and the back part 16 is provided in a manner connected to the outside part of the decorative fabric 30. The back part 16 is composed of a stretchable fabric and arranged to be connected with the other one behind the back to support the cup part 12 and the base part 14. Stretchable tape members 16 u and 16 l are sewed, respectively, on the upper side and the lower side of the back part 16. The tape member 16 u is sewed on an upper side outside end part B of the cup part 12. On the other hand, the tape member 16 l extends to under the lower side of the base part 14 to be sewed on the lower side of the base part 14 and the lower side of the decorative fabric 30. The back part 16 and the decorative fabric 30 are separated from the cup part 12 and the base part 14 excluding the upper side outside end part B of the cup part 12 and the lower side of the base part 14.

The strap part 18 is connected to the upper side outside end part B of the cup part 12, while connected to the back part 16 on the other end. The strap part 18 is composed of, for example, a stretchable fabric or strap.

The outside part 14 s of the base part 14 is thus composed of a stretchable fabric and further the outside part of the base part 14 is not connected with the back part 16, which prevents the lateral pulling force by the back part 16 from acting on the lower side outside part 12 s of the cup part 12.

A storing part 40 for storing therein a shape support member 20 is formed in a lower part on the rear side of the cup part 12. The storing part 40 is formed in a sac-like shape having an opening on at least either one of the left and right ends and extends in a manner curved along the lower side of the cup part 12.

Next will be described the shape support member 20. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the shape support member shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary arrangement of the shape support member with respect to the bust.

The shape support member 20 is provided in a lower part of the cup part 12 and formed in a band-like (plate-like) shape extending in a manner curved left-right obliquely upward from around the lowest point A of the verge's line. That is, the shape support member 20 is formed in a band-like shape having a curved surface facing the bust. The shape support member 20 is composed of elastic resin to which a material such as 66 nylon resin, polyacetal, polycarbonate, elastomer resin, or polyethylene terephthalate is applicable.

The curvature of the curved surface of the shape support member 20 is formed to be greater than the curvature of the cup part 12 with the shape support part being not disposed therein. That is, the shape support member 20 is formed to have a curve sharper than that of the bust. This causes the shape support member 20 to be stretched by the bust during use and act in a manner holding the bust therein through its elastic restoring force.

The lower side 20 l of the shape support member 20 passes on a line nearer the bust (on the swelled part) than the verge's line BL. Thus, pressing the swelled part of the bust inside the verge's line makes the volume of the bust more likely to move.

For example, the lower side 20 l may pass on a line nearer the bust than the verge's line BL all through the lowest part 20 b, front center part 20 f, and outside part 20 s of the shape support member 20. Alternatively, as exemplified in FIG. 4, the lower side 20 l may pass on the verge's line BL in the lowest part 20 b of the shape support member 20, while passing on a line nearer the bust than the verge's line BL in the front center part 20 f and the outside part 20 s of the shape support member 20. In these cases, the front center part 20 f and the outside part 20 s act in a manner holding the bust from left and right with the lowest part 20 b serving as a supporting point.

Alternatively, for example, the lower side 20 l may pass on the verge's line BL in the lowest part 20 b and the front center part 20 f of the shape support member 20, while passing on a line nearer the bust than the verge's line BL in the outside part 20 s of the shape support member 20. In this case, the outside part 20 s acts in a manner holding the bust on the outside side with the lowest part 20 b and the front center part 20 f serving as a supporting point.

Alternatively, for example, the lower side 20 l may pass on a line nearer the outside than the lowest point A of the verge's line BL in the lowest part 20 b of the shape support member 20, while passing on a line nearer the bust than the verge's line BL in the front center part 20 f and the outside part 20 s of the shape support member 20. In this case, thus holding the swelling of the bust mainly nearer the outside allows the volume of the bust to further move toward the front center.

Therefore, it is arranged in a manner that the lower side 20 l thus passes on a line nearer the bust than the verge's line BL in at least the outside part 20 s of the shape support member 20.

It is noted that if the lower side 20 l passes on the verge's line BL in the lowest part 20 b and the front center part 20 f of the shape support member 20, while passing on a line nearer the bust than the verge's line BL in the outside part 20 s of the shape support member 20, the curvature of the curved surface from the lowest part 20 b to the front center part 20 f of the shape support member 20 may be equal to the curvature of the cup part 12, while the curvature of the curved surface from the lowest part 20 b to the outside part 20 s of the shape support member 20 may be greater than the curvature of the cup part 12.

The arrangement of the shape support member 20 can thus be changed according to, for example, the part in which the volume of the bust is desired to be moved by the shape of the cup.

The front center end part 20 ft of the shape support member 20 may be located at a position lower than the height T of the bust top. With this arrangement, it is possible to prevent the front center part of the bust from being pressed beyond necessity and the swelling from being deformed. For example, the shape support member 20 may extend from around the lowest point A of the verge's line upward toward the outside, that is, may include only the lowest part 20 b and the outside part 20 s. In this case, the outside part 20 s acts in a manner holding the bust on the outside with the lowest part 20 b serving as a supporting point.

The outside end part 20 st of the shape support member 20 may be located at a position higher than the height T of the bust top. With this arrangement, it is possible to hold the bust, which otherwise is likely to move toward the outside, and to move the volume of the bust near the outside toward the front center and upward to thereby clear the part of the bust near the outside.

The shape support member 20 is set to have a width so as not to dig into the bust and provide the wearer with a feeling of pain. Also, the width at the lowest point of the shape support member 20 may be greater than the width at the left and right ends so that the elastic action occurs efficiently. The width of the shape support member 20 thus decreasing from the lowest point to the left and right ends is advantageous because identication of the shape of the shape support member on the front side of the cup becomes difficult. For example, the shape support member 20 is set to have a width of about 1 to 2 cm at the lowest point and a width of about 5 mm at the left and right ends. The thickness of the shape support member 20 is adjusted and set according to the material thereof. For example, the shape support member 20 is set to have a thickness of about 1.5 mm for soft 66 nylon resin and a thickness of about 1 mm for hard polyacetal.

In accordance with the brassiere 1 according to the first embodiment, the shape support member 20 is stretched by the bust during use and acts in a manner holding the bust therein (as if in hands) through its elastic restoring force. The shape support member 20 also presses the swelled part in a lower part of the bust inside the verge's line, so that the volume of the bust is likely to move upward and/or inward. This allows the volume of the bust to move upward and thereby the outside part of the bust to be cleared. In accordance with the brassiere 1 according to this first embodiment, the cup part 12 can thus hold the bust and the shape support member 20 can also hold the bust therein to thereby improve the shape of the bust.

Also, the shape support member 20 is not of a hard material for squeezing the verge's line, but of an elastic material for holding the swelled part of the bust gently therein, whereby it is possible to improve the shape of the bust without providing a feeling of pain.

There is no need to use a thickened pad to improve the shape of the bust. It is therefore possible to improve the shape of the bust without providing the wearer with a feeling of pressure. There is also no need to strengthen the base part, the cup wire, or the back part or increase the pull-up force of the strap part to improve the shape of the bust. It is therefore possible to improve the shape of the bust with a comfortable feeling of wear.

In accordance with the brassiere 1 according to the first embodiment, the shape support member 20 can hold the lower part of the bust stably therein to prevent the cup part 12 from coming down.

In accordance with the brassiere 1 according to the first embodiment, even when the bust may become deformed due to motions of the wearer, the shape support member 20 also becomes deformed with its elastic properties to follow the deformation of the bust, whereby it is possible to maintain the shape of the bust. For example, when the arm is raised, the bust has a vertically long shape with a reduced width. Conventional cups and wires cannot follow such a change in the shape and the width remains unchanged, and the cup comes down. On the other hand, the shape support member 20 can continuously hold the bust therein with its elastic properties even when the width of the bust may be reduced. It is therefore possible to maintain the shape of the bust.

Further, in accordance with the brassiere 1 according to this first embodiment, since there is no need for a cup wire to provide a shaping force, even a non-wired type can also improve the shape of the bust.

It is noted that in accordance with the brassiere 1 according to the first embodiment, since the back part 16 is separated from the lower side outside part 12 s of the cup part 12 and the outside part of the base part 14, the lateral pulling force by the back part 16 acts on the lower side outside part 12 s of the cup part 12 and the outside part of the shape support member 20, which can prevent the action of the shape support member 20 for holding therein from left and right the lower part of the bust from being inhibited.

Exemplary Variation of the First Embodiment

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of a brassiere according to an exemplary variation of the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. 5. The storing part 40 may be formed independently in a sac-like shape and incorporate the shape support member 20 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, though formed in a sac-like shape with the upper side and the lower side thereof being sewed on the cup part 12 as exemplified in the above-described first embodiment. Further, the storing part 40 may be provided with an opening on neither the left end nor the right end, though has an opening on at least either one of the left and right ends as exemplified in the first embodiment.

When the storing part 40 is thus formed independently in a sac-like shape, only the parts of the storing part 40 in contact with the lower side and the upper side of the cup part 12, that is, the vicinities of the lower side and the left and right ends of the storing part 40 may be sewed on the lower side and the upper side of the cup part 12, while the other parts may be separated from the cup part 12 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. This can prevent the shape of the shape support member 20 from appearing on the front side of the cup part 12. Alternatively, the storing part 40 may be provided on the front side of the cup part 12, that is, between the cup part 12 and the decorative fabric 30. This further increases the feeling of softness against the skin.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of a brassiere according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The brassiere 1A includes a main part 10A and the above-described shape support member 20. It is noted that the brassiere 1A, which is approximately bilaterally symmetric, will hereinafter be described focusing on only one of the left and right parts.

The main part 10A includes a cup part 12A, a base part 14A, and a back part 16A. The main part 10A is different from the main part 10 according to the first embodiment mainly in the following point. That is, like common brassieres, the cup part 12A is fixed stably to the base part 14A in the main part 10A and a cup wire is provided through the entire lower side of the cup part 12A, with no strap part provided.

Specifically, the cup part 12A is provided to cover the bust and supported on the base part 14A. The base part 14A is composed of a non-stretchable fabric and sewed on the lower side of the cup part 12A. The back part 16A is sewed on the outside part of the base part 14A. It is noted that the base part 14A may not necessarily be provided. In this case, the back part 16A is sewed on the lower side outside part of the cup part 12A. The back part 16A is composed of a stretchable fabric and arranged to be connected with the other one behind the back to generate a lateral pulling force on the outside part of the base part 14A, that is, the lower side outside part of the cup part 12A and thereby to stabilize the cup part 12A.

A cup wire 50 is provided at the boundary between the cup part 12A and the base part 14A, that is, along the verge's line. It is noted that the cup wire 50 may not necessarily be provided.

A retainer part 40A for retaining the shape support member 20 is formed at around the lowest point A of the verge's line in the lower side of the cup part 12A. The retainer part 40A is sewed at the upper end and the lower end on the rear side of the cup part 12A to be an approximately annular shape. This causes the retainer part 40A to be retained only around the lowest part 20 b of the shape support member 20. That is, the front center part 20 f (front center end part 20 ft) and the outside part 20 s (outside end part 20 st) of the shape support member 20 are separated from the cup part 12A.

The brassiere 1A according to the second embodiment also offers the same advantages as the brassiere 1 according to the first embodiment.

Further, in accordance with the brassiere 1A according to this second embodiment, since the front center part 20 f (front center end part 20 ft) and the outside part 20 s (outside end part 20 st) of the shape support member 20 are separated from the cup part 12A, the lateral pulling force on the lower side outside part 12 s of the cup part 12A by the back part 16A acts on the outside part 20 s (outside end part 20 st) of the shape support member 20, which can prevent the action of the shape support member 20 for holding therein the lower part of the bust from being inhibited.

Third Embodiment

FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of a brassiere according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IX-IX in FIG. 8. The brassiere 1B includes a main part 10B and the above-described shape support member 20. It is noted that the brassiere 1B, which is approximately bilaterally symmetric, will hereinafter be described focusing on only one of the left and right parts.

The difference from the second embodiment is that the main part 10B includes a cup part 12B instead of the cup part 12A in the main part 10A. The other arrangements of the main part 10B are the same as those of the main part 10A.

Instead of the retainer part 40A of the cup part 12A, a storing part 40B for storing the shape support member 20 therein is provided in a lower part on the rear side of the main part 10B. The storing part 40B is retained to the main part 10B via a stretchable connection fabric 41. For example, the connection fabric 41 is disposed in an overlapped manner between the storing part 40B and the main part 10B, and the upper side of the storing part 40B is sewed on the upper side of the connection fabric 41, while the lower side and the left and right end sides of the connection fabric 41 are sewed on the cup part 12B. The storing part 40B is thus separated substantially from the cup part 12B.

With the arrangement above, even when the lateral pulling force on the lower side outside part 12 s of the cup part 12A by the back part 16A may be generated, the connection fabric 41 is stretched to prevent the outside part 20 s of the shape support member 20 from being pulled laterally.

The brassiere 1B according to the third embodiment also offers the same advantages as the brassiere 1 according to the first embodiment.

Further, in accordance with the brassiere 1B according to the third embodiment, the storing part 40B is substantially separated from the cup part 12B and therefore the shape support member 20 is also substantially separated from the cup part 12B, offering the same advantage as the brassiere 1A according to the second embodiment. That is, the lateral pulling force on the lower side outside part 12 s of the cup part 12B by the back part 16A acts on the outside part 20 s (outside end part 20 st) of the shape support member 20, which can prevent the action of the shape support member 20 for holding the bust therein from being inhibited.

Fourth Embodiment

FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of a brassiere according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The brassiere 1C includes a main part 10C and the above-described shape support member 20. It is noted that the brassiere 1C, which is approximately bilaterally symmetric, will hereinafter be described focusing on only one of the left and right parts.

The main part 10C includes a cup part 12C, a back part 16C, and a strap part 18C. The main part 10C is different from the main part 10 according to the first embodiment mainly in the following point. That is, the main part 10C does not include a base part but is provided with a cup wire at the lower side of the cup part 12C.

Specifically, the cup part 12C is provided to cover the bust, and a pair of such cup parts 12C are connected at the lower side front center parts 12 f through a connecting part 13 composed of, for example, a non-stretchable tape member. The back part 16C is sewed on the lower side center 12 c of the cup part 12C. The back part 16C is composed of, for example, a stretchable fabric, strap, or a tape and arranged to be connected with the other one behind the back to support the cup part 12C.

A storing part 40C for storing the shape support member 20 therein is formed in a lower part on the rear side of the cup part 12C. The storing part 40C may be formed similarly to the storing part 40.

A cup wire 50C is provided in the lower side front center part 12 f and the lower side center part 12 c of the cup part 12C. That is, the cup wire 50C is disposed in the parts of the lower side of the cup part 12C excluding the lower side outside part 12 s. That is, the cup wire 50C extends under the front center part 20 f (front center end part 20 ft) and the lowest part 20 b of the shape support member 20 but not around the outside end part 20 st of the shape support member 20.

The brassiere 1C according to the fourth embodiment also offers the same advantages as the brassiere 1 according to the first embodiment.

Further, in accordance with the brassiere 1C according to this fourth embodiment, the cup wire 50C, which supports the parts of the lower side of the cup part 12C excluding the lower side outside part 12 s, can prevent the action of the outside part 20 s (outside end part 20 st) of the shape support member 20 for holding therein the lower part of the bust from being inhibited.

It is noted that the present invention may be modified variously without being limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, the embodiments exemplify a band-like shape support member extending in a manner curved left-right obliquely upward from around the lowest point A of the verge's line, but the shape of the shape support member is not limited thereto. FIG. 11 exemplifies some other shapes of the shape support member.

As shown in FIG. 11 (a), the shape support member 20 may be formed in a band-like shape extending laterally in an approximately linear manner in frontal plan view. The band-like shape support member of this type can easily follow the shape of the bust to provide a good fit.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 11 (b), the shape support member 20 may be formed in an approximately elliptical shape in frontal plan view. The planar shape support member of this type has a large area and therefore a large elastic force (spring force), that is a large force for holding the bust therein, and also can hold the bust through the large area to thereby further improve its shape.

It is noted that the planar shape support member may be formed in an approximately semicircular shape in frontal plan view as shown in FIG. 11 (c) or an approximately triangular shape in frontal plan view as shown in FIG. 11 (d). The part near the outside particularly being planar as shown in FIG. 11 (d) can further improve the shape of the part of the bust near the outside.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 11 (e), the shape support member 20 may be formed in an approximately crescent shape of bilateral asymmetry in frontal plan view. The bilateral asymmetry, in which the length Ls from the supporting point P for holding the bust thereon to the outside end part is greater than the length Lc from the supporting point P to the front center end part, has a large force for holding therein the part near the outside to thereby further improve the shape of the part of the bust near the outside.

It is noted that the following are required for any one of the shapes shown in FIG. 11:

-   -   the horizontal length is greater than the vertical length;     -   the bust top is not covered, that is, the upper side edge of the         shape support member passes between the bust top and the verge's         lowest point;     -   the curvature of the curved surface is greater than the         curvature of the cup part; and     -   the curvature of the curved surface of the shape support member         is greater at the upper side than at the lower side.

Although the embodiments exemplify resin as a material of the shape support member, any kind of material other than resin is applicable as long as having elasticity.

Although the embodiments exemplify the arrangement in which the shape support member is separated from the cup part, the shape support part according to the present invention may be formed integrally under the cup part, or inside the cup part through molding, for example.

Although the embodiments exemplify a brassiere of the type in which the rear ends of the back parts are hooked up, the features of the embodiments are also applicable to brassieres of the front-closure type in which the left and right base parts are split off and hooked up at the front center.

The features of the embodiments are applicable not only to brassieres but also to any kind of garment with a cup part including bra-slips, bra-camisoles, body suits, cupped teddies, and swimsuits.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention is applicable for use in improving the shape of the bust without providing the wearer with a feeling of pressure or tightness.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   1, 1A, 1B, 1C Brassieres (garments having cup part) -   10, 10A, 10B, 10C Main parts -   12, 12A, 12B, 12C Cup parts -   12 c Lower side center of the cup part -   12 f Lower side front center part of the cup part -   12 s Lower side outside part of the cup part -   B Upper side outside end part of the cup part -   13 Connecting part -   14, 14A Base parts -   14 f Front center part of the base part -   14 s Outside part of the base part -   16, 16A, 16C Back parts -   16 u, 16 l Tape members -   18, 18C Strap parts -   20 Shape support member (shape support part) -   20 f Front center part of the shape support member -   20 b Lowest part of the shape support member -   20 s Outside part of the shape support member -   20 ft Front center end part of the shape support member -   20 st Outside end part of the shape support member -   20 l Lower side of the shape support member -   30 Decorative fabric -   40, 40B, 40C Storing parts -   40A Retainer part -   41 Connection fabric -   50, 50C Cup wires -   BL Verge's line 

1. A garment having a cup part for covering a bust, comprising a shape support part for supporting a shape of the bust, the shape support part provided in at least a lower part of the cup part, wherein the shape support part is formed in a plate-like shape having a surface curved with respect to the bust, wherein a curvature of the curved surface of the shape support part is greater than a curvature of the cup part with the shape support part being not disposed therein, and wherein the shape support part has elasticity.
 2. The garment having a cup part according to claim 1, wherein the shape support part is stored in a storing part formed in at least the lower part of the cup part.
 3. The garment having a cup part according to claim 1, wherein a lower side of at least an outside part of the shape support part passes nearer the bust than a verge's line.
 4. The garment having a cup part according to claim 1, wherein a front center end part of the shape support part is located at a position lower than a height of a bust top.
 5. The garment having a cup part according to claim 1, wherein an outside end part of the shape support part is located at a position higher than a height of a bust top.
 6. The garment having a cup part according to claim 1, further comprising a back part for supporting a lower side of the cup part excluding an outside part of the lower side of the cup part, wherein the back part is separated from the outside part of the lower side of the cup part.
 7. The garment having a cup part according to claim 2, further comprising: a cup wire for supporting a lower side of the cup part; and a back part for supporting an outside part of the lower side of the cup part, wherein the storing part of the cup part for storing therein the shape support part is separated substantially from the cup wire.
 8. The garment having a cup part according to claim 1, further comprising a cup wire for supporting a lower side of the cup part excluding an outside part of the lower side of the cup part. 